'If One
Hanumantha Is Alive . . . . I
Hanumantha's valor rose sky-high in this war. He dashed rakshasas to the ground or whirled
them and threw them up. He crushed to death many a rakshasa hero like Dhoomraksha and
Akampana. The
enemies trembled at his very sight. Anjaneya fought so valiantly that Ravana himself
praised him as a real hero. Hanu- mantha carried Rama on his shoulders when Rama had to
fight with Ravana.Ravana's son Indrajithu was a
great hero of the rakshasa army. He once shot the Brahmasthra, the terrible missile with
the power of Lord Brahma, the God of Creation. The whole Vanara army fell down
unconscious. Even Rama and Lakshmana fainted. Hanumantha who had also fainted for a
moment, got up and going round the battlefield with Vibheeshana, put courage into his
soldiers with his words. While walking along, Vibheeshana saw the old Jambavantha and
spoke to him. The latter opened his eyes slowly and asked, "Vibheeshana, is
Hanumantha alive?"
Vibheeshana was amazed and said, "Revered Jambavantha, you do not ask about Rama and
Lakshmana or about Sugreeva, Angada or Neela. But you ask about Hanumantha only;
why?"
"Vibheeshana, if that one great hero is alive, even if the
entire Vanara army is dead, it makes no difference. But if that one person is dead, our
army is as good as dead. We can hope to live only as long as he is alive." So replied
Jambavantha.
Hanumantha, who was standing quite near and heard these words, held his feet with respect
and devotion, and mentioning his own name, said he was alive. Then Jambavantha said to
him, "You have now
to do a mighty task to bring our army to life. You have also to save Rama and Lakshmana
who have fainted because of the Brahmasthra. Fly across the ocean and over a great
distance till you reach the
Himalaya mountains. You will there see a mountain containing all herbs. There grow the
herbs Mritha Sanjeevini,Vishalyakarani, Savarnakarani and Sandhanakarani. Fetch them at
once and save these soldiers.
Immediately Hanumantha flew towards the Himalayas with the
speed of thought. He could also see the mountain. But as soon as the herbs understood of
his purpose, they disappeared. Hanumantha searched for them and, when he could not find
the herbs, threatened the mountain itself in his terrible anger. "See what I will do
to you," he said, and shaking the very mountain flew back with it to Lanka. As he
streaked across the sky with the mountain it appeared as if the very sun was flying
towards Lanka.
The very smell of those herbs was enough to make Rama, Lakshmana and the whole army
recover and sit up. The rakshasas did not want the enemy to know how many on their side
had died; so, obeying Ravana's orders, they had thrown their dead into the sea. So no
rakshasa could come back to life. Having achieved his purpose, Hanumantha flew back with
the mountain to its place, put it there, and hurried again to the battlefield.
After the war was over, Hanumantha entered Lanka and stood before Seetha and told her of
the victory. Seetha was speechless for a moment with joy. Then she said that there was no
fitting reward she could give to Hanumantha who had brought such happy tidings.
"The words you have spoken with such affection are more
precious than any heap of diamonds or the divine kingdom. I have seen Rama victorious.
What greater fortune can I ask for!" Hanumantha replied.
Rama had now to return to Ayodhya. But he had some doubts. Bharatha had ruled over the
kingdom for fourteen years. So he might wish to be the king. How could he find out? Even
if Bharatha had that desire, he would not say so. And nobody could ask him. Some
intelligent person should make it out from Bharatha's face and the way he spoke, and
should then inform Rama. It was a difficult mission, which would need much shrewdness and
a capacity to understand persons.
Who was to go?
There was only one person whom every one remembered when there was a difficulty to be
overcome, when courage and intelligence was needed. And that was Anjaneya!
Shri Rama, of course, sent for Hanumantha.
He told him, "If Bharatha has the slightest wish to be king and does not want me to
return, come and tell me.I will stay on here. You must carefully observe his expression
and study his words and find out."
Hanumantha assumed the shape of a man and went to Ayodhya and informed Bharatha of Rama's
arrival. Bharatha fainted with joy. When he recovered he said, "0 greatest of men, I
do not know whether you are a man or a god. I must reward you for bringing this glad
news."
Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya. His coronation took place with greatsplendour. Rama gave
priceless gifts to all hisfriends. He also gave an invaluable necklace and ornaments to
Seethadevi. But she remembered the great help of Hanumantha and gave them to him. She even
took off the necklace and looked at Rama. Shri Rama read her mind and said, "Devi, do
please give the necklace to the person who has brought you immense joy and in whom valour,
ability, courtesy and wisdom are embedded for ever." At once, she gave necklace to
Hanumantha |
